Subscribe by RSS
Posts Tagged ‘Cool Trips’
Naperville: The Naper Settlement
6/30/2009 4:41 PM By Catherine TNaperville, Illinois is home to a very unique piece of property called the Naper Settlement. If you are trying to come up with some traditional ideas for a Web design concept, spend the afternoon here with the costumed interpreters and you are sure to get some material that you can work with. The property has 30 historic buildings that are located on 13 acres, and visiting each of them makes you feel as though you have been transported back in time.
The buildings that are on the grounds include a blacksmith shop, a print shop and a Victorian mansion. There is also a fort, a schoolhouse and a chapel that you can visit to round out the imagery. After spending some time at the settlement, you can begin to get a feel for what life was like long ago. Look for things that are symbolic to represent the traditional American lifestyle–they are all around you here.
Chicago: Downtown Deco Tour
6/26/2009 4:40 PM By Catherine TArt Deco is a truly unique style, and if you are looking to find a way to incorporate it into a design, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's "Downtown Deco" tour is a must. Not only will it get you in touch with the history of this popular design style, but it will teach you details about the motifs and characteristics of Art Deco as well. Chicago is home to many buildings that exemplify the Deco look, including the Field Building, the Carbide and Carbon Building and the One LaSalle Street Building.
If you want to go out on your own and see the Deco buildings in the city, there are plenty of places to see. Some buildings you might want to view include the Palmolive Building, Mather Tower, the Chicago Board of Trade Building and the McGraw-Hill Building, all of which have the ornamentation and design that have come to represent Art Deco style. Classy, yet modern in its own way, this can be a great starting point for a totally new design concept.
New York: Top Of The Rock
6/23/2009 4:39 PM By Catherine TPerspective can be changed, depending on the view. If you want to see things differently, head over to the "Top of the Rock" at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. This observation deck may not be the highest in the United States at 70 stories, but the view is tremendous. Experience 360 degree views of New York that include landmark buildings as well as Central Park. There is no time limit, so you can spend as long as you like looking out over the city in search of inspiration.
Shapes and angles are a little different when you are 850 feet in the air, a fact which can help you come up with new directions for design elements. The observation deck actually has three different levels, and the total surface area is 55,000 square feet, so there is plenty of space to roam around. The very top deck is open air, which can have a real impact on how you view the city. There are plenty of big-city observation decks around, but this one is a gem. Take advantage of it and spark some new ideas.
New York: Chinatown
6/20/2009 8:34 AM By Catherine TChinatown can be an amazing source of inspiration for Web designers and writers alike. The colors, the energy, and the totally unique look of this New York neighborhood make it a wonderful place to visit for new ideas or those with an Asian theme. With a population of somewhere between 70,000 and 150,000 people, New York's is the largest Chinatown in the United States. Here, you will find winding streets peppered liberally with a staggering selection of restaurants, markets, and shops.
Be sure to find some of the Chinese and Buddhist temples in the area and check out places such as Confucius Plaza and Chatham Square as well if you have the time. Find some of the markets by looking on streets such as Canal, Mott, Pell, and Doyers, and immerse yourself in a world that is sure to give rise to more than a few new thoughts and unusual perspectives. Take a look at the goods there and let them spark your imagination. After spending an afternoon in Chinatown, you will be filled with new ideas to take with you to the computer.
Ohio: Amish Country Byway
6/19/2009 4:38 PM By Catherine TSometimes getting ideas for a truly great design is as simple as clearing your head so that there is room for new thoughts. If you want the perfect scenic drive to leave everything behind and return to simplicity, try cruising along the Amish Country Byway in Ohio. This 76-mile scenic drive takes between three and five hours to do at a leisurely pace, and the hills and natural landscape are sure to help you relax and unwind.
You can choose to stay on the road and take in the sights, but you may need to make way for the occasional horse and buggy as you go. If you are in the mood to get a taste of the simple life, stop in at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center or check out Winesburg Village for a little trip back through time. Slow your pace by going for a ride out in the country air and see what taking a time out can do for your creative juices. You may find that it is just what you need to get rolling with a fresh perspective and renewed energy–and you just might pick up something you can use along the way.
New York: The New York Aquarium
6/17/2009 8:36 AM By Catherine TThere is something otherworldly about creatures that live in the water, and this can serve as a source of inspiration. The way that things move, look, and act underwater is very different from the way that things manifest themselves on land. For this reason, the New York Aquarium is a great spot to check out if you are looking to see things in a different way. Sharks, stingrays, and seals (oh my!) are all available to serve as a basis for your next new idea.
Think about what type of design you are trying to create and then observe whatever you feel drawn to; there is plenty to take in here. The otters are great for communicating energy and playfulness, the sea lion demonstrations are fascinating and the large tanks can be very soothing. Shapes and colors can serve as inspiration as well. Just think about how unusual an octopus or a seahorse looks and let it take you to a new way of thinking about design. The exhibits feature over 8,000 animals, so you could spend the entire day there and still not see everything the aquarium has to offer. It is open 365 days a year, so you can go whenever it is most convenient for your schedule.
New York: Upscale Window Shopping
6/12/2009 8:35 AM By Catherine TSometimes simple observation can really be a great help when you are looking to convey a particular feel through the written word or Web design. If your client is asking for a "high-end" or "upscale" Web presence, New York's Madison Avenue can lend a hand. Spend the day window shopping at stores such as Armani, Prada and Yves St. Laurent and get a feel for the good life and all that goes with it.If you tire of the fare here you can always head on over to 5th Avenue, which is just one street over; the choices there are just as posh. You'll see Tiffany & Co., Gucci, and Fendi there as well as many other famous names. Take the time to observe the arrangement of things in the stores and in their windows. Look at how the people are dressed. Listen to what they talk about. By the time you leave, you'll be able to pull together a Website that would fit right in.
Pittsburgh: The Warhol Museum
6/10/2009 8:35 AM By Catherine TPop culture in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? You bet! Pittsburgh is home to The Warhol Museum–the ideal location to get in touch with ideas that are not only cutting-edge, but unusual as well. If you have a client that is searching for a way to stand out from the crowd through design, sharpen your creative edge by a visit to this fine museum. It's impossible to come out with the same views you had when you set foot inside–and that's a good thing.
The punch of color is an unmistakable trademark of this type of artwork, and it can be a great way to inform your work on the Web. Eye-catching imagery is something that pop culture has mastered, so it is a terrific thing to study if you want to "make waves" with your work. Even if you aren't looking to jump on board the pop culture train, studying this type of style can help shake up your own if you are getting into a rut–or simply want a new direction.
Indianapolis: The Indianapolis Zoo
6/3/2009 8:32 AM By Catherine TNature often serves as inspiration for things such as poetry and artwork, and the Indianapolis Zoo is the perfect place to observe a variety of animals to get some ideas for other creative endeavors as well. The zoo has approximately 364 species on the grounds, from dolphins to lions, and the facility has been around for over forty years, so it's well-established. It's helpful to get an early start if it is warm, as many of the animals are more active during the cooler morning hours. There's no set way to visit–just find a map and start exploring.
One great thing about the Indianapolis Zoo is that it can provide more than one source of inspiration. If you aren't seeing a direction for your design in the animal world, simply head over to the White River Gardens on the grounds and look at the plants and flowers there for some ideas. With over 1,000 plant varieties in the 3.3-acre area, there's sure to be something that gives you a starting point for your design concept.
Sandusky: Cedar Point
5/29/2009 8:31 AM By Catherine TIf you need a whimsical theme for your design concept, why not take a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park for a day or two? Located in Sandusky, Ohio, this is the perfect spot to give you a window into the minds of both children and adults alike. Roller coasters, water rides, shows, and creative landscaping all combine to create a fantasy world that you can draw from as a Web designer or writer. It's almost visual overload, but you can pick and choose where to go to study the park based on what your project theme is.Visit the carousel to indulge your inner child and come up with fun ideas and images that will work as well on the computer as they do in the park. Come up with Flash-based design concepts by watching all of the different rides and taking a bit of direction from their motion patterns. You can research and have fun at the same time. Whoever said that work and play don't mix was clearly not employed in a creative field!
